Nevada public land agencies announce statewide fire restrictions

Nevada’s public land management agencies remain committed to protecting all residents and visitors through fostering wildfire-resilient landscapes and communities. As the weather warms up and Nevadans spend more time outdoors, land managers are encouraging residents to recreate safely and responsibly to help prevent wildfires, protect lives and property, and preserve our precious natural wonders that we all love.

According to Federal and State land management officials, this year Nevada is facing an elevated risk of a severe and potentially catastrophic wildfire season due to drought conditions, dense, dry vegetation and other factors.

On Saturday, fire crews contain two lightning-caused fires on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest’s Carson Ranger District. The Barney Fire located in the Monitor Pass area was mapped at 21 acres and Railroad Fire in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness was held at 2 acres. Firefighters are still mopping up both fires as of Sunday morning.

Given the critical threat of wildfires statewide, the Nevada Division of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will jointly implement updated 2020 Nevada-wide fire restrictions effective Saturday, May 30 until further notice.

The fire restrictions will be jointly mandated and enforced by each agency in coordination with city and county governments and wildfire agencies. (Note: These updated restrictions supersede the previous statewide interagency fire restrictions put in place on April 15, 2020).

Examples of statewide fire restrictions include, but are not limited to, the following:

— Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal BBQ or stove fire (except a portable stove using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel) outside an established fireplace in a picnic area, campground, improved camp site or places of habitation. The area must be clear 6 feet from burnable vegetation, attended at all times, and extinguished when not attended.

— Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle.

— Welding, or operating an acetylene torch with open flames, except by permit.

— Using, or causing to be used, any explosive, except by permit.

— Discharge, use, or allowing the use of fireworks, tracer rounds, explosive targets, or any other incendiary device.

Please note that additional fire restrictions may apply. For more information or clarification on individual agency restrictions, visit www.nevadafireinfo.org/restrictions-and-closures. Possession of a shovel, fire extinguisher and/or at least 5 gallons of water is recommended in the event of an unintentional fire start.

Exemptions:
Each of the following persons is exempt from this order:

— Persons with a valid permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
— Any federal, state, local officer or member of an organized firefighting entity, in the performance of an official duty.

Affected areas include the following:
All areas, roads, trails and lands administered by:
— State of Nevada (All Nevada State Parks and Recreation Areas)
— BLM
— Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (Nevada and portion of eastern California)

Already in 2020, Nevada has experienced 98 wildfires; 96 of which were caused by human activities that could have been prevented. As the summer season gets underway and we spend more time in Nevada’s great outdoors, please remember that our public lands belong to all of us and we all share the responsibility of protecting one another and our precious natural resources. Nevadans are encouraged to enjoy the Silver State’s diverse wildlands and outdoor places safely and responsibly to preserve them for all to enjoy for centuries to come. Nevada’s firefighters and first responders thank you for using extra precaution during these trying times.

For more information or clarification on the fire restrictions, please visit nevadafireinfo.org, or contact the Nevada Division of Forestry at 775-684-2709; BLM State Headquarters at 775-885-6000; and Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest at 775-771-4777.